Kenton YMCA makes a splash on opening day

Tami Lloyd and her son Caleb Rehkamp are the first to jump into the pool at the new Kenton County YMCA. As a child Lloyd was always the first one in the pool each year.
(Photo:
Amy Scalf/The Community Recorder
)

INDEPENDENCE – For the first time in six years, Kenton County YMCA members jumped in to summer at the pool.

After a month-long membership push, the YMCA opened on June 2, with 111 new members – 11 more than needed to open the facility.

Tami Lloyd, formerly Rehkamp, grew up across the street from the pool. Traditionally, she was the first one in the pool every year. Snd she and her 10-year-old son Caleb jumped in together as the pool opened at noon.

“I hope he had as as much fun here as I did when I was a kid,” said Lloyd.

Together, they jumped in, high-fived, went down the slide, then wrapped up and went home.

Caleb wore a green wristband, showing lifeguards that he could swim anywhere in the pool without assistance. All new swimmers will be tested to determine their skills, and assigned a wristband accordingly. Yellow and red wristbands indicate that swimmers can enter limited areas or must be accompanied at all times in the water by an adult within arm’s length.

According to Campbell and Kenton YMCA Director Dana Ensley, the pool has a few more new rules.

No glass of any kind is allowed on the pool deck. Members may bring in their own food or drink, but alcohol is not permitted.

Inflatables are not allowed. Only non-inflatable personal flotation devices, such as life jackets that are U.S. Coast Guard approved are allowed in the water.

Despite overcast skies and cool pool water, new members began trickling in throughout the afternoon.

The club’s baby pool is still not open, and in need of repairs.

“We know where the leaks are, and we’re digging them out,” said Dick Monson, one of the original members from when the Kenton County YMCA opened in 1979. Monson has been a part of the committee pushing for the reopening.

“We hope that we’ll get this part of the work done so that a licensed and certified plumber will be able to come out here and fix it for free, or at least for a reduced cost,” he said.

Summer swim memberships cost $125 for adults and $200 for the whole family. The pool will be open daily from noon until 6 p.m.